Game Tonight: OKC Thunder vs Grizzlies Odds, Injury Report, Prediction, for Dec. 17th

Another back-to-back set is on tap with the top-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in town to play the OKC Thunder. 

The losing streak expanded to four in a row after yet another nail-biter where the OKC Thunder. lost by a single bucket.  This time it was the undermanned Timberwolves who won 112-110 on the front side of the back-to-back set.

Once more the home team had to fight back to erase a double-digit deficit and once more they lost on a single bucket. They’re right back at it tonight hoping to turn the streak around to the winning side.

Memphis has the rest advantage although they did have to travel to OKC.

Recent opponents have sat their top stars or were missing players sidelined by injury but the Grizzlies are expected to play Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Dillon Brooks plus former Thunder star Steven Adams tonight.

One of the core remains out (Desmond Bane) but since the Grizzlies utilized their typical starting unit on Thursday in the humbling of the Bucks (142-101) it’s expected they’ll be on hand for this match. In fact, they didn’t even have to play much in the second half so they’re well-rested.

Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have to be ready for fellow Canadian Dillon Brooks to defend him (see matchup below).

Thunderous Intentions dives into the specifics.

• Scroll down for our Thunder – Grizzlies Prediction and Game Details

OKC Thunder vs Grizzlies Odds, Spread, Over/Under

Not surprisingly the top-seeded Grizzlies are the 7.0 favorites. The over/under is 231 points while the moneyline tags the OKC Thunder at plus +225 and the Grizz at minus -275.

Some other betting notables:

• The OKC Thunder are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games.
• The Grizzlies are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games.
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of OKC’s last 8 games against Memphis.
• The Grizzlies are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games.
• The total has gone OVER in 8 of OKC’s last 11 games at home.
• The Grizzlies are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games against OKC.
• The OKC Thunder are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games.
• The Grizzlies are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games on the road.
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City’s last 6 games.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Injury Report

Kenrich Williams (knee) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle) will be out again nursing their injuries.

Ousmane Dieng suffered a non-displaced fracture of his wrist and will be out indefinitely. Chet Holmgren (foot) is out for the season.

Additionally, Lindy Waters III is on assignment with the OKC Blue in the G League.

Jake LaRavia and Kenneth Lofton Jr. are on G League assignment. Desmond Bane remains out nursing his toe injury while Danny Green continues to rehab from his torn ACL.

OKC Thunder vs. Grizzlies key matchup and prediction

Although I’ve earmarked the Nuggets to finish atop the West my backup was the Grizzlies so the fact one is first and the other within striking distance I’m feeling pretty hyped.

This is the third of four meetings between the clubs with Memphis having won both prior contests — (121-110) on November 18th and December 7th (123-102).

Moreover, the Grizzlies are on a tear having recently overtaken the Pelicans atop the West, humiliated the Bucks winning by 40 points, and have found their groove on both sides of the court.

Ja Morant is box office (must-watch) TV. At least once a game he delivers a jaw-dropping move that could be a dunk, an aerial move where he switched hands mid-air or a run-down block he has no business getting to.

The star is averaging 27.7 points, 7.8 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. As for his efficiency, he’s shooting 45.8 percent on 21 field goals, 35.5 percent on 5.0 perimeter shots, and 74.2 percent on 9.0 free throws.

As a team, Memphis scores 115.5 points per game which rank seventh-best while they are shooting 46.8% from the field ranking (18th) and 36.0% from the perimeter (14th)

On defense, they allow 111.7 points per game which rank 12th, and limit opponents to 45.1 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from the perimeter ranking third and 17th.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is very familiar with Dillon Brooks as the duo came up through Basketball Canada and its programs. What SGA might not be expecting is the 2022 iteration of Brooks the defender.

The Grizzly wing has always been known as a more aggressive defender but this season he’s raised that level of his game. Brooks spends time before every match watching as much film as he can dissecting the tendencies of his defensive assignment.

That’s resulted in some poor performances by the competitors like Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson who both shot well below their average against Brooks.

But there is also the mental side as the Canadian tends to get in the head of his opponent. The perfect example of how successful he’s been in that regard was versus the Bucks’ Khris Middleton.

The Bucks forward isn’t known as a dirty player — but THAT was a dirty play. Especially considering how much time Middleton just missed due to a knee injury initially and then a wrist surgery.

Middleton finished the game 1 of 12 scoring a mere three points.

Bottom line Gilgeous-Alexander hopefully has his own childhood secrets about how to get in Brooks’ head because his priority will be to stop SGA.

This might be a game where Taylor Jenkins would consider resting one or both of his stars but since they only just ascended to the top rung in the West I’m guessing they won’t take any chances.

And, unfortunately, this is also a tough game to expect the OKC Thunder to keep the score close so I’d bet the Grizz to win and cover.

What channel is the Thunder-Grizzlies game on?

Per usual the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Oklahoma or NBA League Pass. Tip-Off is set for 8:00 p.m. EST (7:00 CT) from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

OKC Thunder vs. Grizzlies Live Stream

If you need a live stream of the event, check out FuboTV for a free trial!

Thunder Next Game and Schedule

The OKC Thunder continue the home stand next week with three games opening the week by hosting a baseball set versus the Blazers on Monday and Wednesday and closing the week by playing the Pelicans on Friday.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.